life sentence

noun

plural life sentences
: a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convicted person's life when there is no possibility of parole or for a minimum number of years under applicable law until the convicted person becomes eligible for and is granted parole

Examples of life sentence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recently, the Massachusetts Parole Board also OK’d the release of a man who raped a 76-year-old woman and was sentenced to 3 life sentences. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026 There are further surprises when Mason’s camera at last faces that perp, serving a life sentence in prison. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026 Those with life sentences will serve part of them in a prison and the rest in a special regime penal colony, according to the verdict. Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026 Those with life sentences will serve part of them in a prison and the rest in a special regime penal colony, according to the verdict. ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for life sentence

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life sentence was in 1817

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Life sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20sentence. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

Legal Definition

life sentence

see also:
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster